The landscape of the Premier League title race for the 2026-27 season is facing a significant shift, with many BBC Sport pundits expressing doubt about Manchester City's ability to maintain their customary dominance following Pep Guardiola's departure. Historically, City have been the overwhelming favorites under Guardiola, securing the title in six out of ten seasons since 2016.
However, heading into their first campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca, only 12% of 26 polled BBC Sport pundits anticipate City reclaiming the trophy. Thomas Hitzlsperger noted City's consistent presence in the Champions League since 2011 as a testament to their competitiveness, but questioned if their top-four streak would continue without Guardiola. "With Pep Guardiola, I would always say they would finish in the top four, but now he has gone, and it is always so tough to follow someone like that. Maybe this is the year that City finally drop out," Hitzlsperger stated.
Conversely, Shay Given suggested that Guardiola's exit might invigorate the squad. "I don't think Pep leaving means we will see what happened when Sir Alex Ferguson left United. Instead, I am expecting the opposite, because of a fresh voice in the dressing room. These players have not won the Premier League in two years so they will be hungry for success. City will be number one," Given commented.
Troy Deeney voiced concerns about Maresca's tactical approach, drawing parallels to his tenures at Leicester City and Chelsea. "I am not sure he has got that ability to really demand what he wants. Pep has taught all these coaches, but only Arteta has tweaked it and kind of said 'I am going to use all the principles, but this is my way of doing it'," Deeney said. He characterized Maresca as a "BTEC version of Pep Guardiola," highlighting his perceived rigid playing style and defensive vulnerabilities even with a squad of top-class players.
Joe Hart, while acknowledging City's less convincing performance against Arsenal in Cardiff, believes the team's inherent quality will still make them contenders. "City were clunky against Arsenal in Cardiff but I don't think they will over-react to one poor game. I think they still believe they've got the team and the quality to challenge," Hart remarked.
Theo Walcott pointed to the transition from Guardiola to Maresca as a "gigantic question mark," compounded by the potential loss of key players like Rodri. Nedum Onuoha also highlighted the impact of losing senior players and the adjustment to a new manager, despite the presence of experienced title-winners in the squad.
Anita Asante observed that Maresca's style is not dramatically different from Guardiola's, suggesting continuity in identity. However, she stressed the significant impact of Rodri's departure, calling him "pivotal" to the club. The absence of leaders like John Stones and Bernardo Silva, both on and off the pitch, was also noted as a substantial loss.
Leon Osman believes these factors signal potential problems, even with a prolific striker like Erling Haaland. Pat Nevin echoed this sentiment, stating that City are in a rebuilding phase across midfield and management. "I will be surprised if they win it, but they will still be up there," Nevin predicted.
Rachel Brown-Finnis concluded that while City possesses strong players, they may struggle with the consistency required to win the league. The collective opinion suggests a more open title race than in recent seasons, with Manchester City facing unprecedented challenges in adapting to life after Guardiola.